Articles tagged with Cocaine Addiction
Scientists have found that CART peptides are essential for the maximal effects of cocaine and amphetamine, leading to a novel target for treating stimulant drug addiction. The study showed reduced responses to these drugs in mice lacking CART peptides.
Researchers found a significant reduction in amygdala volume in cocaine addicts compared to nonaddicts, suggesting a possible predisposition to addiction. The study's findings indicate that the condition may pre-exist addiction and could be linked to difficulties in identifying potential negative outcomes.
An imaging study found a structural difference in the brains of cocaine addicts, with the amygdala being smaller. This could reflect impaired judgement and contribute to the addictive behavior.
Researchers found that Homer1 or Homer2 gene knockout mice showed greater preference for chambers associated with cocaine administration and increased motivation to self-administer cocaine. They also exhibited neurochemical changes characteristic of addiction, including reduced glutamate levels during withdrawal.
Yerkes researchers found a combination of dopamine transporter inhibition and serotonin transporter inhibition effective in limiting cocaine use in rhesus macaques. The therapy shows promise as a potential treatment for cocaine addiction.
A study found that adopting the 12-step philosophy and behaviors significantly enhanced drug counseling outcomes for cocaine addiction. Changing beliefs about addiction was more highly correlated with reduced drug use than adopting the 12-step philosophy.
A study found that buprenorphine significantly reduced cocaine and heroin use in individuals addicted to both drugs. Participants who received the highest dose of buprenorphine experienced a 95% decrease in cocaine metabolite levels, while those who received the lower dose saw a 92% decrease.
A randomized, double-blind study found that baclofen significantly reduced cocaine use in recovering addicts when used with substance abuse counseling. The study monitored 70 outpatients for 16 weeks and showed a decrease in recent cocaine use compared to the placebo group.
A study led by NYU Langone Health found that epilepsy drug GVG helped hard-core cocaine addicts stay clean for over 60 days. Forty percent of participants achieved sobriety without leaving their environment, gaining weight and living with their families.
A study found that diuretic amiloride improved cerebral blood flow in cocaine-dependent subjects, reversing cognitive impairments and depressive symptoms. The medication's ability to dilate arteries in the brain may be responsible for this improvement.
Researchers pinpointed nerve cells in the nucleus accumbens shell that respond to environmental stimuli associated with prior drug use. This finding may aid in developing targeted treatments for relapse prevention.
Researchers at OHSU found significant differences in free-base nicotine levels among 11 commercial cigarette brands, with some containing up to 36% free-base nicotine. The study's findings have implications for understanding the addictiveness of different tobacco products and may guide future research.
Researchers found that dopamine levels increased significantly before laboratory rats chose to get more cocaine, paralleling human addictive behavior. The findings suggest that real-time increases in dopamine may control drug-taking behaviors and inform treatment for cocaine addiction.
Researchers have found that addictive drugs, such as cocaine, morphine, and amphetamines, increase the sensitivity of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. Stress triggers a similar response, which may lead to addiction. The study's findings could help develop new treatments for addiction.
Research reveals cocaine causes harm to brain cells that trigger feelings of pleasure, potentially explaining addiction and depression. The study found significant lower levels of dopamine neurons in cocaine users compared to non-users.
Researchers have found that administering n-acetyl cysteine can reverse changes in brain chemistry associated with cocaine craving. The study suggests a novel target for cocaine's action: the cysteine-glutamate antiporter, which pumps glutamate out of neurons.
Researchers found that Nocaine is a weak reinforcer, providing some of cocaine's effects but at a lower level. This makes it less likely to be abused and have abuse-related toxicity.
A study found that individuals carrying a high-output version of the dynorphin gene are less susceptible to cocaine dependence. The genetic association suggests a possible neurobiological function for this particular variant, which may modulate cocaine's effects and increase protection against addiction.
Researchers investigating cumulative effect of maternal cocaine use on infants' mental development, examining interactions with environment, family violence, and substance co-use. The study aims to understand how children develop self-regulation and control impulses.
Neuroscientists identified brain regions activated by eating chocolate's rewarding and aversive aspects, offering insights into addiction and eating disorders. The study provides a novel model for understanding addiction using primary reinforcers like fat and sweet.
Researchers have identified a protein in fruit flies that resembles the molecule targeted by cocaine, offering insights into its addictive properties. The discovery of this protein, called dDAT, could lead to genetic manipulation and behavioral studies.
Yale researchers found that early life stress enhances vulnerability to drug addiction. Rat pups separated from their mothers experienced increased self-administration of cocaine as adults. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions for children with early life traumas.
Researchers at the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that squirrel monkeys will self-administer intravenous injections of THC, a psychoactive compound in marijuana, in doses comparable to those used by humans. This study suggests that marijuana has similar abuse potential as other addictive substances like cocaine and heroin.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that participants who received auricular acupuncture had a higher likelihood of being free from cocaine during treatment. Over half of those receiving acupuncture tested negative for the substance at the end of the eight-week trial, compared to 23.5% of control group participants.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found that auricular acupuncture significantly increased cocaine-negative urine screens among participants with heroin and cocaine addiction. The treatment also led to longer periods of sustained abstinence compared to control groups.
A study published by Emory University researchers found that a naturally occurring neurotransmitter called CART peptide produces behaviors associated with cocaine and methamphetamine. The finding suggests a role for the brain chemical in modulating or mediating the actions of drugs and potentially treating addiction.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins found that using both cocaine and alcohol increases the risk of brain damage. The study showed that cocaine use can lower the amount of alcohol needed to impair cognitive abilities, while heavy drinking impairs executive functions.
Scientists have found that cocaine abuse coupled with use of alcohol leads to impulsive decision-making and poorer performance on tests of learning and memory. The negative effects persist for at least a month after substance use stops, according to the study published in Neurology.
A study by Scott Coffey found that cocaine withdrawal symptoms are relatively mild and decrease steadily over time, with improvements in depression, anxiety, and energy levels.
A study combining disulfiram (Antabuse) with buprenorphine found that participants who received both experienced longer periods of cocaine abstinence and achieved continuous abstinence sooner than those receiving only buprenorphine. No significant differences were observed in opiate abstinence between the two groups.
A Yale University study suggests that individuals who quickly escalate their cocaine intake are more likely to become addicted. The research identified a key behavioral feature: excessive craving responses, which correlated with dramatic increases in cocaine intake before abstinence.
A drug used to help people quit smoking may also reduce cocaine cravings in rats, with results showing a reduction of over 40% in self-administration. Mecamylamine blocks nicotinic receptors, which are involved in generating feelings of pleasure and can contribute to addiction.
A new nicotine vaccine has been developed to prevent and treat tobacco addiction by blocking nicotine from reaching the brain. The vaccine, which uses antibodies to bind to nicotine, has shown promising results in laboratory studies, reducing nicotine levels in the brain by up to 64%.
A Penn State researcher found that nearly three-fourths of women addicted to crack cocaine engage in prostitution to support their habit, highlighting the need for comprehensive support services. The study suggests that programs should offer housing, education, and job training to help these women escape poverty and addiction
Researchers have identified two brain chemicals, delta-FosB and GluR2, as major contributors to the addiction process. The study found that delta-FosB increases sensitivity to cocaine reward by activating genes involved in glutamate receptors, leading to compulsive behavior.
A symposium on treating drug addiction will feature four new studies on the chemistry of addictions, including an antibody-based drug to prevent PCP abuse and a non-addictive medication for cocaine addicts. The research aims to understand the brain chemistry behind addiction and develop effective treatments.
A potential vaccine against cocaine addiction has been developed by attaching a cocaine derivative to a larger protein, inducing the immune system to create specific antibodies that attack the molecule. The research team hopes to begin human clinical trials by the end of the year.
A new study reveals that genetic mechanisms controlling the biological clock are also involved in cocaine sensitization in fruit flies. The research provides valuable insights into the development of treatments for cocaine addiction and may lead to discoveries about other physiological processes controlled by so-called 'clock' genes.
A recent study by researchers at NIDA found that chronic, heavy cocaine users experience prolonged deficits in manual dexterity and problem-solving skills after quitting. The study suggests dose-related effects on cognitive function, particularly in the prefrontal cortex.
A new compound, BP 897, has been shown to reduce compulsive drug-seeking behavior in cocaine-dependent rats. This breakthrough could lead to a new treatment for addiction, targeting the root cause of craving and compulsive behavior.
A French medical researcher claims that moderate caffeine consumption does not lead to addiction, but rather increases alertness and energy. However, high doses of caffeine can trigger functional activity in the brain's reward system, leading to potential negative effects such as anxiety and depression.
A landmark study found that cocaine and tobacco use significantly increased the risk of miscarriage in inner-city pregnant women. The study reported that 24% of the risk for miscarriage could be related to cocaine and tobacco use.
Researchers mapped brain regions affected by cocaine and found that addiction is linked to the right side of the brain. The study used a powerful brain-imaging technique to map frontal-lobe regions associated with cocaine's effects in 20 cocaine addicts.
A study has found that environmental stimuli can trigger neurochemical changes in the brain similar to those caused by cocaine use, leading to overwhelming cravings in recovering addicts. Dr. Leonard Howell's research suggests that a medication targeting the serotonin system may prevent such cravings.
African-American crack addicts often had traumatic childhoods marked by physical and sexual abuse, leading to unstable adult lives. The study's findings suggest that these individuals may gravitate towards drug dealing as a means of support due to unemployment and unstable employment.
Researchers at UF have developed a new approach to treating nicotine addiction using antidepressants, targeting long-lasting changes in brain chemistry. The treatment combines nicotine replacement therapy and counseling to help smokers overcome addiction.
Researchers at the University of Virginia have discovered that fruit flies respond to cocaine in a similar manner as humans, using similar biochemical pathways. This breakthrough may lead to highly specific drugs to treat cocaine addiction, based on genetic and biochemical insights gained from studying the flies.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that intravenous doses of cocaine increase dopamine availability in the human brain, boosting activity two to three times over baseline levels. The discovery may advance efforts to understand and treat addiction by blocking euphoric effects of drugs.
Researchers at Emory University have synthesized a compound called RTI-113 that targets the same dopamine transporters as cocaine, with potential to treat addiction and eating disorders. The medication reduces self-administration in monkeys and shows promise in managing urge for 'out-of-control' drug-seeking behaviors.
The study uses fMRI to map brain activity in response to cocaine, revealing a broader range of brain structures involved than previously thought. The nucleus accumbens and amygdala play key roles in the reward system, with the former associated with reinforcement and the latter with incentive.
Researchers at OHSU found that mice without the D4 dopamine receptor exhibit increased locomotor activity when exposed to these substances. The study suggests that the D4 receptor may play a role in modulating drug effects and could be a new target for treating drug abuse.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered a protein called Homer that strengthens the link between drug addiction and long-term memory. The study found that Homer binds to nerve cells' message-receiving structures, potentially leading to new treatments for addiction.
Scientists at Yerkes Primate Research Center of Emory University found that cocaine significantly alters the activity of nearly 20 genes in the brain, many of which have never been identified. The changes occur during transcription and may have serious long-lasting consequences for addiction.
Researchers found a direct link between changes in the brain's receptor sites and cocaine addiction behavior, suggesting that the body's natural opiates play a key role in craving. The study uses PET scans to measure binding to opiate receptors, providing new potential avenues for predicting relapse and treating addiction.
The Brookhaven National Lab has been named a Drug Addiction Study Center, focusing on brain chemistry and imaging techniques to develop new treatments. Research will study cocaine, heroin, nicotine, tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana, aiming to understand the biological bases of addiction.
A breakthrough in basic chemistry developed by University at Buffalo scientists has the potential to expand dramatically the variety and potency of new pharmaceutical compounds. The method uses a chiral catalyst to synthesize biologically important compounds with specific chemical structures.
Newborns exposed to crack cocaine in the womb display excitability, lethargy, stress, and delayed motor skills, but may not require special care. Cocaine exposure may also impact parenting styles and lead to negative outcomes for babies.